The term bonsai means ‘a plant in a tray’, which tells us that the tray is an important aspect in successfully growing a bonsai plant. The correct bonsai pot is significant, not only for the appearance but for the growth of the roots. There are a variety of pots to choose from when housing your bonsai plant. In the initial stages, the tree can be planted in growing boxes or any other informal container during its development. When the bonsai tree is at the height and size that you feel is complete, it should be moved into a formal container. The containers are generally ceramic and come in many different shapes and styles.Unlike most common planting pots, a bonsai pot has unique draining holes to accompaniment fast draining soil. The pot needs to have a vertical side, so that the roots can be removed and inspected from time to time. Choosing the correct pot for your bonsai is not easy, and you may go through many pots during trial and error. The plant should also be transferred every other year, based on the plant’s roots and desired appearance. Bonsai pots can be found at garden nurseries, Japanese and Chinese hardware stores and many online locations.
Bonsai pots come in many different sizes and colors, and can be purchased in five different shapes: oval, round, square, hexagon, or rectangle. There are a few rules to follow when buying your bonsai pot, such as:
- Round or rectangle pots generally look best with cascading bonsai trees, such as a ficus.
- A bonsai tree in square and oval pots should be placed off centered a smidge, for ambience and appearance.
- Deep bonsai pots usually look best with bonsai trees that have heavy looking trunks and thick foliage.
- The tree and the pot should have proper contrast of colors, such as tame colors look best with trees that bloom beautiful colors. Tame colors are tans, greens, and whites, while natural looking foliage should be placed in glazed and beautiful pots that set the ambience that the grower is looking for.
- Pots with feet offer ample drainage and airflow, but may not look the best with all types of bonsai trees.
The depth of the pot should equal the diameter of the tree’s trunk, and can be calculated by looking at the average growth of the type of bonsai tree. Bonsai trees that have fast growing roots require deep pots, and flower or fruit blooming bonsai trees allow for a more shallow pot for the best growth.
In close, it is important to choose a bonsai pot that matches the characteristics of the bonsai tree. It is not an easy decision, but with time, trial and error the grower will eventually find the correct pot for them. No two trees are alike, especially when the growers of bonsai trees have different cultivating practices. The most important aspect of the bonsai pot is that it complements the tree and its surroundings.